SpaceX Hopes To Launch Starlink Satellite Internet In Mid-2020

Until now, SpaceX has partially deployed one of its historical projects when launching Starlink internet satellites going into orbit. However, the major question of which time the company will make it widely available to customers still remains unclear. If any, users may have to wait for more until they’re really able to experience an honest-to-goodness service. According to SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell, the company is slated to provide Starlink broadband to customers inside the US in mid-2020.

As such, the plan’s totally dependent on the number of satellites into use, so the company will have to put enough satellites in orbit to roll out the service. Shedding light on the current situation, SpaceX had just launched one mission since May, while there’ll be at least a minimum of eight of such a mission to meet the requirement. At this stage, prices and plans are still vague because instead of a primary money-making machine, this will just be an addition to the company’s core business.

Shotwell also told that SpaceX wouldn’t build and launch wholly 30,000 extra satellites as it requested for approval, in order to cover the planet. Fewer satellites can solely fulfill this task, while others are likely to customize service for clients all around the world. Previously, Elon Musk suggested that the US Air Force’s aircraft would come with special internet services encrypted by his company.

SpaceX is not the first one looking for this type of service. The company’s rivalry competitor – Amazon – has also been ambitious in deploying broadband satellites, while Google’s parent Alphabet has already served its own “Loon balloons”. In short, SpaceX won't have too much time if it doesn’t want to extend the gap between it and those big names, which could lead to losing customers.